Dome Fire Update, September 20, 2026 (morning)

News Release Date: September 20, 2026

Current Situation

2,667 acres
15% containment
525 personnel

The Dome Fire was active overnight, spreading 283 acres to the northern edges of the fire and continues to grow into the 2017 Empire Fire footprint. There are three areas of concern that firefighters will prioritize today: a spot fire east of Turner Meadow, a spot fire in Empire Meadows, and isolated hot spots identified last night near the Chilnualna Falls area.

Ground and air resources are continuing efforts to fully suppress the fire as we continue to fly hotshot crews into the 2017 Empire footprint. Crews are continuing to improve and create direct hand lines in steep rugged terrain andgoingdirectinBridalveilandAlderCreekdrainages utilizing natural barriers where possible. Helicopters assigned to the fire continue to support firefighters with water drops, supplies and transportation.
Heavy fuel conditions continue to pose challenges for ground-based suppression resources as they continue to utilize natural barriers such as granite outcroppings and bare areas in the northwest flank. Fire is moving through red fir fuel type which is conducive to spotting and susceptible to burning.

Weather

A weak weather system will move into the region today, helping to spread widespread mid-and high-level clouds across the area. Light morning drainage winds will become southwest at around 6 to 10 mph in the afternoon, along with a few gusts to around 15 mph on the exposed ridges. Morning inversion is expected to lift by late morning, but due to increased cloud cover and less potential for mixing, the inversion may not lift until early afternoon. High temperatures will be in the upper 50s to lower 60s, with relative humidity dropping into the low to mid-30s.

Evacuation Orders

There are no evacuation orders or warnings in place. There are no immediate threats to infrastructures or developed areas.

Closures

Yosemite National Park is open and operating normally, with the following exception.The Chilnualna Falls Trail, as well as the trails from the top of Chilnualna Falls toward Buena Vista and Crescent Lakes, are closed due to the Dome Fire. (These lakes are reachable from the east.) The closed area extends east of the Wawona Road from Wawona to Chinquapin, as seen on the public information map.

Smoke Outlook

Today, can expect mostly MODERATE air quality across the Park, including Hodgdon Meadow and Tuolumne Meadows. However, Yosemite Valley will experience slightly worse air quality compared to yesterday, with UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS conditions overall. Wawona's proximity to the fire will keep its air quality in the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS range withpossible periods of UNHEALTHY, gradually improving overnight. Skies will also be hazy for most of the day, impairing distant views. Mariposa stays clear of the smoke, so expect another day of GOOD air quality. Visit fire.airnow.gov for more information.

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